§ 28 and 29. Mr. Pickthornasked the Minister of Information (1) whether he will place in the Library the names pf those who, during the last six months, have broadcast, respectively, for British and Imperial, and for foreign audiences, marking in some special way those who have broadcast more than six times each; and whether he will continue to deposit similar lists every week;
(2)whether the principal object of propaganda to foreigners being to bring to their attention what is known and what is thought by the British people, he will 874 accordingly devise and use all the means he can to ensure that Members of Parliament know what statements and opinions are being published to foreigners by His Majesty's Government and the British Broadcasting Corporation?
§ Mr. BrackenI am afraid I cannot undertake to furnish the lists of broadcasters desired by the hon. Member. The labour of compiling such lists would be out of all proportion to the utility they would serve. As for the contents of our broadcasts to foreign countries, they can be heard by any member of the public who has the interest to listen to them.
§ Mr. PickthornAre not such lists already compiled?
§ Mr. BrackenI am advised that the lists named number more than 15,000.
§ Mr. G. StraussThe Question asks whether all statements and information published to foreigners by His Majesty's Government could be made known to Members of the House and the public. Does the reply include leaflets which are issued by His Majesty's Government to foreigners, as well as the broadcasts?
§ Mr. BrackenAs my predecessor has several times informed the hon. Member and other Members, it does not include leaflets. Those are secret documents.